ARLENE Foster told an event in Belfast last night that she valued the LGBT community's contribution to Northern Ireland - but asked for them to respect her right to oppose same-sex marriage.
Her appearance at the PinkNews reception at Stormont is the latest in a series of recent outreach initiatives by the DUP leader who last week made history by attending the GAA's showpiece Ulster final.
She is the first DUP leader to attend an LGBT event.
READ MORE:
- A warm LGBT welcome for Arlene Foster, but speech gets tepid response
The DUP has been heavily criticised by LGBT activists for past derogatory comments about gay people and its ongoing resistance to same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland.
Addressing the event she said that just because they disagreed on same-sex marriage it did not mean she did not value their community.
"I wanted to recognise that some of our brightest and best in this country are part of the LGBT community," she said.
"I wanted to send a clear message from this event, that we are all someone's child and we are all a valued part of this wonderful place we call home."
In a speech to a packed audience in Stormont's Great Hall she said: "It is not a zero sum game.
"All I ask in return is that my, and our views, are also respected if not agreed with."
Ahead of the speech, Mrs Foster mingled and chatted with fellow guests. She posed for photos and laughed as attendees shook her hand.
She was accompanied by fellow DUP MLAs Simon Hamilton and Pam Cameron. Another party member, Paula Bradley, co-sponsored the Stormont event.
However John O'Doherty, director of the Rainbow Project, said he was "very disappointed" that Mrs Foster did not go further in her address.
"I told her I was disappointed there was no recognition of the hurt and harm that the DUP caused to LGBT people," he said.
"We want to see real engagement. We want to know that Arlene Foster and the DUP understand and accept the hurt and harm that has been caused to LGBT people."
When asked by The Irish News if the DUP should apologise for its past treatment of LGBT people, Mrs Foster said: "Well you know, we could get into a round of apologies and I don't think that that's fruitful for anybody frankly.
"I think what is important is that I am here today to recognise the contribution LGBT+ people make to Northern Ireland, that's why I'm here, and I hope that people take that as the reason why I am here."
